Family cars generally make more sense to buy used. The Ford Galaxy makes more sense once it’s one year old. Although Ford is currently offering a low-rate 24-month 4.2% APR PCP deal on a new 2.0-litre diesel version in Zetec trim, you can pick up a used version for a third less than the new car and, overall, be £3000 better off at the end of two years.

The same rule applies to another seven-seater, the Hyundai Santa Fe. The 2.2-litre four-wheel-drive diesel is more expensive than the Galaxy as a new or even a used buy; over three years, when bought on Hyundai’s 6.9% APR PCP, the new model will have set you back £16,120 come resale time. You don’t save an awful lot by taking out a cheaper personal loan with a typical 6.4% interest rate to pay for the used car – just £697 all in – but the used buy still outperforms the new model, thanks to the four years remaining on the manufacturer warranty, which means you won’t have to fork out for any extra cover.

A used example of our pick, the 1.6 GDi 1 2WD ISG, will end up having cost you £8508 when you come to sell after three years, while a new one will have set you back £9033. However, the monthly payments on a used example are £470 with a typical 6.4% APR personal loan, while buying new on Kia’s 4.9% PCP deal brings that figure down to a much more palatable £293 per month. You will, however, have to fork out £2455 for a deposit and £6123 for the final payment, so ultimately we’d recommend sticking with the used car.